"Raytheon is proud to provide this technology to the Missile Defense Agency," said Tim Carey, vice president for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Systems. "Our Airborne Optical Sensor system allows operators to have an 'unblinking eye' over areas of interest and allows the Missile Defense Agency to locate, identify and track missile targets that could potentially threaten the US, its allies, and deployed troops."

AOSS is part of Raytheon's family of multi-spectral targeting systems and is currently being examined by the Missile Defense Agency as a forward-deployed, advanced airborne infrared sensor.

Raytheon Multi-Spectral Targeting System provides long-range surveillance, high-altitude target acquisition and tracking of threat ballistic missiles. These systems build on Raytheon's affordable, combat-proven systems that currently provide critical information to US and coalition forces through superior image quality in day and night environments.

Raytheon, with 2009 sales of $25 billion, specializes in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 75,000 people worldwide.